Published: Nov 28, 2015, 02:46 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 28, 2015, 03:15 PM (IST)
Johannesburg: Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has admitted that his side need to work on their fitness and fielding ahead of next year’s World T20 tournament following his side’s three-run defeat against England in the second Twenty20 international in Dubai. Congratulating the England team, Afridi, however, admitted that his side missed a number of good opportunities to win, Sport24 reported. Describing `staying calm` as a key to success, England’s stand-in-skipper Jos Buttler said that he was extremely happy after securing the T20 series with one game to spare. England paceman Liam Plunkett grabbed three wickets as Pakistan were bundled out for 169 while chasing a target of 173. Besides, Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid claimed two wickets while Stephen Parry also chipped in with a wicket.
For England, James Vince smashed 38 runs while skipper Buttler also contributed significantly with a 33-run knock. Plunkett was adjudged as the Man of the Match for his contribution with the ball. England have now taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and will play an inconsequential third T20 against Pakistan in Sharjah on Monday.
Afridi fully endorsed any resumption of cricket ties with India, saying wherever and whenever a series is played the show must go on, irrespective of politics. Asked about the Pakistan players’ reaction to a possible series between the arch-rivals in Sri Lanka next month, Afridi replied: “I think cricket should go on between Pakistan and India because it creates good contacts. Wherever or whenever, cricket should go on.”
